Ch-ch-changes
Since it is the turn of the New Year I, along with all others, will end 2013 on a reflective note. In other words, ALERT serious post to follow! I know I am scared too. Most years, amidst the celebratory nature of the surrounding toasts, I say aloud that I feel that the following year will be better than the last. I rarely commit myself fully to this belief because of the resounding fact that I hate change.
As we all know, I am a 95-year-old woman living in a 29 year old body. So I have grown comfortable in my crotchety ways. I most likely could eat the same thing for dinner for the rest of my life, watch the same Frasier reruns, get the same Hendricks martini. I love traditions, process, rules not so much, but you get it. So as the years have gone by and things have changed, I haven’t loved it. And as the past few years have passed, however hopeful I have felt, I knew at my core that things were getting progressively worse. Or more accurately things were getting more real and ultimately changing.
But I am happy to say I have had my last revelation of 2013. Although who knows, I could keep going all day and night! Here is my thought , things change, both those things that simply happen and have a profound impact, and those things that we actively choose to change. That’s a fact, but here is the big a-ha moment that is most likely obvious to all other humans, but for a self-proclaimed change-phobe this was big, I can still maintain important things remain consistent while still allowing for change
Last year was the first Thanksgiving that my family celebrated without my mom and my Dad and I made the mistake of flying the coop and heading to Mexico for the big day. There was no turkey, no family gathering, no cooking, and most obviously no Mom. It hurt. It mad us sad, but the thought was, if we can’t have our traditions with Mom, then why have them at all? Let’s just get away. But this year my sisters in law taught me that we can carry on traditions in a new space and keep both said traditions and the spirit of my mom alive forever.
So we had Thanksgiving in Philadelphia and everyone had to toast to what they are thankful for (side note – best drinking game ever). And with Christmas is Seattle we opened new stockings filled with old favorites like socks and painted wine glasses. These gestures may be small but it filled me with joy to know we can continue the traditions that my mom started and made us closer as a family. And this was the catalyst that made me further realize that the past is always with me, so although I don’t love change, evolution is inevitable and keeping these pieces with me is part of the process that will only make me stronger. And with this thought, I truly believe that 2014 will be better than 2013. And I can’t wait.
Cheers and wishing everyone all of the best in the upcoming year.
a toast to change
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